Telephonic apparatus.



No. 726,835. PATENTED APR. 28, 1903.

' F. W. WOOD.

TELEPHONIG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1902.

NO MODEL. 8 HEIGHTS-SHEET 1.

6 iez/enfiz? 15-60225 71716002,

N0 MODEL.

PA TENTED APR. 28, 1903.

A F. W. W001). TELEPHONIG APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG.1, 1902.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

jaw/2%? 1 5w [fl 71ml,

PATENTED APR. 28, 1903.

F. W. WOOD. TELEPHONIG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED we. 1, 1902. no MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

V UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

FRANK IV. WOOD, OF NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES CORY & SON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TELEPHONIC APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 726,835, dated April 28, 1903.

I Application filed August 1, 1902. Serial No. 117,943. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatl, FRANK W. WOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newport News, in the county of Warwick and State -v of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Telephonic Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to telephonic appara tus, and especially to a form of apparatus designed for use upon vessels, where certain contingencies arise and have to be met in the successful use of a telephone which do not present themselves in the operation of the instrument on land. Two main objections r5 attending the use of an ordinary form of telephone on vessels are, first, the corroding effect of the damp salt air upon the delicate parts of the receiver and transmitter soon destroys the usefulness of the instrument, and, second, if there be a great deal of noise in the vicinity of the instrument it is very difficult to hear distinctly the words sought to be transmitted. This latter condition may exist if the instrument be located in the engineroom or if it be located in an exposed part of the vessel-as, for instance,-on the bridgeand a heavy wind be blowing or a storm be in progress. To overcome the above objections incident to the use of telephones on shipboard, I have devised the apparatus forming the subject-matter of the present application. Many other advantages, however, are afforded by my invention, which are due both to the special construction of apparatus herein disclosed and to the broad underlying principle of the invention, of which such apparatus is to be considered as only one illustration. The advantages claimed for my invention, however, will be fully set forth in the detailed description thereof and need not be recited in detail at this point.

The objects of the invention, indicated specifically, are to provide a telephone appara tus in which the receiving and transmitting instruments and certain parts directly cooperating therewith shall be inclosed in a water and air tight casing, so as not to be exposed to the action of the atmosphere even during actual use to provide a telephone apparatuswhich shall be strong and durable and one that cannot be readily damaged or deranged by the shock of gun fire, impact of missiles, heavy rolling of the ship, or the like; to produce a loud-talking telephone and one that will permit of location in any part of the ship and enable conversation to be distinctly heard under all conditions of localdisturbance or noise; to provide for putting the instrument into position for use (which in the form of apparatus herein dis- 6o closed would include opening the inclosing casing and turning the transmitter to a position opposite the opening in the casing) in a single movement; to provide for automatically cutting out the instrument and closing the casing after use; to provide for automatically closing the ear-tubes after use and when the same are released; to provide a novel construction of ear-tube; to provide a novel arrangement of two of such ear-tubes 7c for application to both ears of the user; to provide fordirectly or positively rotating the transmitter through the medium of the eartubes, so that the carbon particles in the microphone shall be shaken up each time the instrument is used, thus preventing the granules from packing or caking, and, finally, to dispense with the ordinary flexible conductors connecting the receiver to the instrument.

I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings one form of apparatus by means of which I attain the objects above enumerated.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front sectional elevation. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken through the center of the instrument and on a line at right angles to that of Fig.

1. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the insulatingblock carrying the spring-controlled contactpins. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the Qt shaft carrying end disks with an apertured closure-plate secured at one end portion to the peripheries of said disks, and also showing one set of the pins by means of which said disks with their shaft are rotated. Fig. 5 5 is a similar view showing, detached, the upper part of one of the ear-tubes, and one of the rings provided with a lug for engaging the pins shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of one of the ear- Ioc tubes drawn on an enlarged scale.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 indicates a hollow metal standard, which is bolted or otherwise firmly secured at its base to the deck or the floor of the vessel. The upper end of this standard affords aslightly-reduced cylindrical portion 2 and a shoulder 3, and a hollow squared portion or head 4 has a lower cylindrical end 5 constructed to receive snugly the reduced portion 2 and rest upon the shoulder 3. The standard 1 and head 4 may be firmly secured together by means of screws 6, screwed into the parts 5'and 2. The upper end of the head 4 is provided with curved flanged extensions 7 and otherwise shaped or recessed to have seated therein a cylindrical casing 8, which is secured in position by means of screws 9. At the front side and toward the top of the casing 8 is provided an opening 10, to which the mouth of the person using the telephone is to be applied in talking. This opening is normally closed by a lid 11, hinged at 12 to the upper edge of the opening and adapted to be held by gravity to its seat when once turned to close the opening. In use this lid will be turned back to uncover the opening 10 and rest upon the top of the casing 8. It will be understood, of course, that the height of the standard 1 and the disposition of the opening 10 are such that said opening will be in a convenient position to have the mouth applied thereto. The ends of the casing 8 are closed by means of two circular cap-plates 13, of slightly-greater diameter than the casing 8, and each of which is provided with a screwthreaded annular flange 14, adapted to be screwed into the end of the casing, which is screw-threaded interiorly at its end portions for the purpose. Within the casing 8 and located adjacent to and parallel with the respective cap-plates 13 are two circular disks 15, which are connected by an integral squared shaft 16, provided throughout its length with a circular bore 17, and centrally of its length, in one side, with a transverse passage 18, communicating with said bore.

19 indicates the receiver in the form of a hollow annulus, having a cover 20, screwed thereon in a manner to secure the diaphragm 21 in place, as shown, said cover being first secured by means-of screws 22 to that side of the shaft 16 having the passage 18 and be ing provided with an opening 23 coinciding with the passage 18. A rubber plate 24 is interposed between this shaft 16 and the cover of the receiver.

I will now describe the manner of mounting the ear-tubes and of supporting the shaft 16 with its disks 15, first promising that a description of one side of the instrument applies equally well to the other.

24: indicates an ear-tube, the upper portion of which consists of a curved metal arm 25, having an annular flanged portion 26, an annular shouldered portion 27, and a cylindrical extension 28. The cap-plate 13 has a central opening 29, which is of a size to receive snugly, but so as to allow of its readily turning therein, the shouldered portion 27 of the ear-tube.

indicates a metal ring mounted upon the extension 28 of the ear-tube and interposed between the disk 15 and the cap-plate 1 3. The purpose of this ring will be presently described. The manner of assembling these parts is as follows: The cap-plate 13' being removed the extension 28 of the ear-tube is passed through the opening 29 therein and the shouldered portion 27 seated in said opening. The flanged portion 26 is of somewhat greater diameter than the hole 29, and consequently will lie against the face of thecapplate. The ring 30, which, as shown, is also of greater diameter than the opening 29, is now inserted over the extension 28 and brought up against the face of the shouldered portion 27, to which it is secured by means of screws passed through the openings 31. The extension 28 is now inserted in the bore 17 of the shaft '16, and the cap plate is screwed home. The extension 28 fitssnugly but revolubly within said bore and when the parts are assembled extends to the edge of the passage 18 in the side of the shaft. It willthus be seen that said shaft, with its disks 15 at each end, is 'revolubly supported upon the extensions 28 of the ear-tubes, which in turn are rotatably mounted in the capplates 13. 30, the cap-plate 13, and the annular flange 26 is very close, but not to such an extent as to cause binding. In other words, this ring 30 and flange 26 form, with the shoulder 27, an annular groove, which receives the edge portion of the opening 29, the shoulder being journaled ,in said opening, while the ring and flange operate as the walls of the groove to prevent lateral play. Mounted on and projecting outward from the disk 15 are two pins 32 33. (Respectively shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 and located at about the rela- The connection between the ring tive distance apart shown.) Projecting radially from the periphery of .the ring 30 is a lug 34, which is adapted to move in the space between said pins and to engage one or'the other thereof to move the disks 15, as will presently appear. Extending about' halfway around the peripheries of the disks 15 and extending between the same is a curved closure-plate 35, which issecured at one end portion only to the edges of said disks by the screws 36, so that the greater portion of said closure-plate is left free or unconnected to the disks 15, as more clearly shown by Fig. 4, and this free portion of the plate has a tendency to spring away from said disks, so as to press closely against a smooth bearing-surface afforded by an annular projection 37, surrounding the opening 10 on the inner side of the casing 8. As clearly shown by Fig. 2, the closure-plate 35 will operate normally to close the opening 10 securely. In that end or portion of the closure-plate 35 which is secured to the disks 15 is provided an opening 38, which is of the size of the opening 10 and adapted to be brought into coincidence with said opening when the instrument is to be used.

vided with the usual tapering mouthpiece 43, I

' which extends outward to the plate 35 and has its opening coinciding with the opening 38 in said plate.

44 indicates the microphone of the transmitter, which maybe of any preferred construction. The transmitter 39 is provided on opposite sides with lugs 45, which are adapted to bear against the inner sides of the disks 15, and screws 46, passed through said disks.

and screwed into screw-threaded apertures in said lugs, secure the transmitter in a firm fixed position relative to said disks and so that it will move therewith.

47 47 indicate two blocks of insulating material which are seen red'in the upper end of the screws 4 by screws 48, and upon the upper side of'each of these blocks is secured a metallic contact-strip 49, by means of a screw 50,passed through said strip and screwed into the insulating material, and a binding-post 51, passed up through said insulating material and screwed into said strip. The contact-strips 49 are in electrical connection with linewires 52, through said bindingposts. The contact-strips follow the contour of the casing 8, but are separated therefrom by insulating material 53. The contact-strips 49, as shown by Fig. 2, extend only part way across the insulating-blocks 47, the remaining portion of the upper sides of said insulating-blocks being covered by wear-plates 54, held in place by screws 55, and insulated from the contact-strips 49 by insulating ma terial 56, inserted between their opposing ends. Secured to one of the sides of the shaft 16 is a relatively large block 57, of rubber or other insulating material. (Shown in detail in Fig. 3.) As shown by Fig. 2, this block projects outward to near the inner side of the casing 8 and is provided with two chambers 58, in each one of which is located a contact-point 59, which is normally pressed outward against the inner side of the casing by a coiled wire spring 60, housed in the chamber 58, the end of said springopposi'te to that which engages the contact-point 59 being in connection with a bindingpost 61, from which binding-posts lead the wiresconnecting the instrument electrically with the linewires 52 when the contact-points 59 are on the contact-plate 49. Said contact-points in' the inoperative position of the instrument (shown by Fig. 2) engagein'recesses 62,formed in the inner side of the casing, and thus temporarily lock the parts in such position. Similar recesses 63 are formed in the contactplates 49 to receive the contact-points 59 when and 69.

, 17 of the shaft.

the instrument is turned to the operative position. (Shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2.)

.Each ear-tube 20 has the same construction,

and one of these will now be described.

The curved arm 25 has a pendent portion 64, cylindrical in formation, which affords, in

connection with the lower end of the arm-25,

a shoulder 65, and is also provided on its interior with a shoulder 66, located about midway between the. shoulder 65 and the lower end of the pendent portion. At the lower or outer end of the ear-tube is an earpiece 67, having a similar cylindrical extension 68, providing a shoulder 69 and an inner shoulder 70. Extending between the arm 25 and the earpiece 67 is a flexible tube 71, of coiled wire,

which at opposite ends is inserted over the respective cylindrical extensions 64 and 68 and abuts against the respective shoulders 65 Withinthe tube 71 is a thin flexible metallic tube 72, which is inserted at opposite ends in the extensions 64 and 68 and abut against. the respective shoulders 66 and 70. Interposed between the tubes 71 and 72 is a rubber tube 73, the opposite ends of which abut against the ends of the extensions 64 and 68. A tube as thus constructed is both strong and flexible, while at the same time being a good conservator of sound. The earpiece 67 is provided with an outwardly-flaring portion 74, the circular edge portion of which is surrounded and inclosed by a rubber guard 75. The annular edge of this opening in the earpiece is normally disposed parallel to the side of the head 4, and the spring of the coiled tube 71 is such as to hold the rubber guard .75 firmly against the side of said head, and

ear-tube by the screws 31 will turn therewith;

The receiver 19 being secureddirectly to this shaft 16 and the transmitter 39 directly to the disks 15, which are'integral with said shaft, both of said instruments will turn with the shaft.

The operation of the apparatus may now be clearly understood and is as follows: The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 1 and it being desired to use the instrument, the operator grasps an ear-tube 20 in each hand and raises them, the extension 28 acting as a pivot-bearing and turning in the bore In the first part of this movement the lug 34 on the ring 30 travels the distance between the pins 32 and 33 and then engages the latter,which being fixed on the disks 15 cause said disks,and consequently the shaft 16, to revolve, which in turn causes the contact-pins 59, which have outer rounded ends, to leave the recesses ,62 and. to travel over the inner surface of the casing in the continued upward movement of the tubes and over the wear plates 54 andv the contactstrips 49 until the recesses 63 are reached, into which said pins will spring, and this will indicate to the user that the instrumentis in position for use, or, in other words, that the mouthpiece 43 has been brought into coincidence with the opening 10. The relative adjustment of the parts is such that in order to move the contact-pins 59 to the recesses 63 the ear-tubes will be raised somewhat higher than is necessary for use. They are now lowered and the earpieces 67 placed over the cars. This latter movement will carry the lug 34 out of contact with the pin 33 and to a position between the two pins 32 and 33, so thatin any slight movement of the head in the use of this telephone the lug 34 will not strike against either of the pins 32 33 and produce an unpleasant sound or move the contact-pins 59 out of their recesses 63. The flared portions 74 of the earpieces are of a size to entirely inclose the cars, so that all local noises are shut out. The spring of the ear-tubes will cause the rubber guards 75 to press lightly against the side of the head, but at the same time with sufficient force to preventthe ear-tubes from falling, so that after having once ad justed the tubes the user may employ his hands in holding onto some part of the vessel to steady himself, as is frequently necessary during rough weather. This is an important advantage secured by the use of my invention, and its utility will be apparent without further specification. It will be understood, of course, that when the contactpins 59 pass onto the contact-plates 49 the instrument will be placed in circuit with the line-wires. The parts being placed in the position described and the lid 11 raised, conversation may then be carried on in the usual way. The length of the ear-tubes 20 is such that when adjusted to the ears the mouth will be brought sufiiciently near to the opening 10. When through using the instrument, the earpieces are removed from the ears and the ear-tubes turned down until the contactpins snap into the recesses 62, at'which time the rubber guards 75 will again lie flush against opposite sides of the head 4. If the user neglects to turn the ear-tubes downward, their weight is such as to overcome the frictional contact of the pins 59 in the recesses 63, and they will fall to their normal position by gravity, being stopped by the frictional contact of the guards 75 with the sides of the head and by the contact-pins springing into the recesses 62. This downward movement of the ear-tubes causes the lug 34 to engage the pin 32, and thus to move the transmitter away from and the closure-plate 35 over the opening 10, which will thus always be closed, either automatically, as just described, or positively, after use irrespective of the lid 11, which is an additional but desirable protection to this opening. By providing for this automatic return of the ear-tubes to their in operative position I further insure that the connection to line and battery shall always be kept open except when the instrument is actually being used, thus adding to the life of the battery. As the ear-tubes are raised or lowered the transmitter will thereby be given a part rotation, and the carbon granules in the microphone will consequently be shaken up each time the instrument is used, and thus be prevented from packing or caking. While this latter is an important and highly desirable feature of the invention, it is not, however, indispensable, and I wish it to be understood that it is within the purview of my invention to secure either the transmitter or the receiver, or both, fixedly within the casing 8 and use the shaft 16 for rotating the closure-plate 35 only. The salient feature of the invention, however, is the fact that when out of use the apparatus is securely sealed against the entrance of moist air either through the mouthpiece to the transmitter or through the ear-tubes to the receiver or to the casing inclosing these parts.

I have herein shown-and described one form of apparatus for carrying out the objects. and

purposes of the invention; but I do not wish a to be understood as limiting myself to this form or construction, as changes or modifications may-be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Likewise I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the particular combination of parts herein disclosed, and I reserve the right to use the various novel'elements of the structure separately or in other equivalent combinations.

While I have described the form of apparatus shown herein as being especially adapted for use on board ships, it wili of course be obvious that the apparatus may advantageously be employed in any and all places where-local noises are prevalent or the conditions of the atmosphere are such as to injuriously affect instruments of this kind.-as, for instance in factories, noisy engine-rooms, power-houses, docks or wharves, and like places.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. In a telephone apparatus, a transmitter and receiver, a casing inclosing the same and having an opening, ear-tubes communicating with said receiver and a movable closure for said opening located entirely within said casing.

2. In a telephone apparatus, a transmitter and receiver, a casing inclosing the same and having an opening, ear-tubes communicating with said'receiver, a slidable closure'for said opening located entirely within said casing and means for operating the same.

3. In a telephone apparatus, a transmitter and receiver, a casing inclosing the same and having an opening, ear-tubes communicating with said receiver, a slidable, spring-pressed closure located entirely within the casing for closing said opening and means for operating the closure.

4. In a telephone apparatus, a transmitter and receiver, a casing inclosing the same and having an opening, movable ear-tubes communicating with said receiver and a movable closure for said opening adapted to be operated by said ear-tubes.

5. In a telephone apparatus, a transmitter and receiver, a casing inclosing the same and having an opening, movable ear-tubes communicating with said receiver, and a closure for said opening movable with said ear-tubes to cover or uncover the opening.

6. In a telephone apparatus, a transmitter andreceiver in electrical connection with the line-wires and battery, a casinginclosing the same and having an opening, movable eartubes communicating with said receiver, a movable closure for said opening adapted to be operated by said ear-tubes, and means for making or breaking the connection with the line-wires and battery in the movements of said ear-tubes.

7. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a receiverlocated within said casing, movable eartubescommunicating with said receiver, a closure for said opening movable with said ear-tubes to cover'or uncover the opening, and a transmitter also located within said casing and movable with said ear-tubes to have its mouthpiece brought into or out of coincidence respectively, with said opening at the same time that the opening is uncovered or covered by said closure.

8. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a receiver located within said casing, movable ear tubes communicating with said receiver, a slidable closure-plate for said opening and itself having an opening and movable with said ear-tubes to have its opening brought into or out of coincidence with the opening in the casing, a transmitter also located within said casing and movable with said ear-tubes and havinga mouthpiece disposed opposite to the opening in said closure-plate.

9. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, arnovable member located withinsaid casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, movable ear-tubes communicating with said receiver and carrying means for actuating said movable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, means for covering and uncovering said opening.

10. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a rotatable member located within'said casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, pivotally mounted ear-tubes communicating with said receiver and carrying means for actuating said rotatable mem-.

her to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said open ing, and means for covering and uncovering said opening.

11. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a rotatable member located within said casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, pivotally-mounted eartubes communicating with said receiver and carrying means for actuating said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, said ear-tubes having a movement independent of said rotatable member, and means for covering and uncovering said opening.

12. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a movable member located within said casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, movable ear-tubes communicating with said receiver and carrying means for actuating said movable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, and means carried by said movable member for covering and uncovering said opening.

13. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a rotatable member located within said casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, pivotally-mounted eartubes communicating with said receiver and carrying means for actuating said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, and a plate carried by said rotatable member for covering and uncovering said opening.

14. In atelephone apparatus, acasing having an opening, a rotatable member located within said casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, pivotally-mounted eartubes communicatingwith said receiver and carrying means for actuating said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, and a plate carried by said rotatable member for covering and uncovering said opening, said plate having a free or unconnected portion adapted to press outward against the inner side of the casing.

15. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a movable member-located within said casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, ear-tubes communicating with said receiver, means for actuating said movable member to-bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, and means for covering and uncovering said openin 16. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a movable member located within said casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, ear-tubes communicating with said receiver, means for actuating said movable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, means for automatically stopping the transmitter in either of said posi'-' tions, and means for covering and uncovering said opening.

17. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, areceiver mounted in said casing, ear-tubes communicating with said receiver, a movable member also located within said casing and carrying a transmitter,

means for actuating said movable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, and means for covering and uncovering said opening.

18. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a receiver mounted in said casing, ear-tubes communicating with said receiver, a rotatable member also located within said casing and carrying a transmitter, means for actuating said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, and means carried by said rotatable member for covering and uncovering said opening.

19. In a telephone apparatus, a casing havin an opening,-a receiver mounted in said casing, ear-tubes pivot-ally mounted in opposite ends of the, casing and communicating with said receiver, a rotatable member mounted in said casing and carryinga transmitter, pins projecting from said movable member, a lug carried by said ear-tubes and adapted to be moved by the latter to engage one or the other of said pins and thereby to actuate said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening and means actuated by said rotatable member to cover or uncover said opening.

20. In a telephone apparatus, a casing havingan opening, a rotatable member mounted in said casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, ear-tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of said casing and communicating with said receiver, pins carried by said rotatable member, a lug carried by said eartubes and adapted to be moved by the latter to engage one or the other of said pins and thereby to actuate said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, and a plate carried by said rotatable member for covering and uncovering said opening.

21. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, ear-tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of said casing and having extensions projecting into the casing, a hollow shaft supported on said extensions and carrying a transmitter and a receiver, said receiver communicating with said extensions through said shaft, means for causing said shaft to turn with said ear-tubes whereby to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, and means actuated by said shaft for opening and closing said opening.

22. In a telephone apparatus, a casing havng an opening, ear-tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of said casing and having cylindrical extensions projecting into the easing, a hollow shaft journaled on said extensions and carrying a transmitter and a receiver, said receiver communicating with said extensions through said shaft, stops carried by said shaft, a lug carried by said ear-tubes and located between said stops and adapted to engage one or the other thereof after amovement of the ear-tubes in a given direction to actuate said shaft, whereby to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, and means actuated by said shaft for covering and uncovering said opening.

23 In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, ear-tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of said casing and having cylindrical extensions projecting into the cas ing, a hollow shaft journaled on said extensions and having at each end a fixed circular disk, a receiver mounted on said shaft and communicating through the same with said extensions, a transmitter mounted on said disks, a plate secured to the peripheries of said disks and normally covering said opening, pins projecting from said disks, and a lug carried by said ear-tubes for engaging one or the other of said pins, the combination operating as set forth.

24. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a receiver mounted in said .casing, ear-tubes communicating with said receiver, a rotatable member also located within said casing and carrying a transmitter, means for actuating said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, electrical contact-pins carried by said rotatable member, an insulated electrical contactplate supported in said casing in the path of said pins, whereby, in the movements of the transmitter above described, said contactpins will be carried onto or off of said contact-plate, and means for covering and uncovering said opening. I

25. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a receiver mounted in said casing, ear-tubes communicating with said receiver, a rotatable member also located within said casing and carrying a transmitter, means for actuating said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, spring-controlled electrical contact-pins carried by said rotatable member, an insulated electrical contact-plate supported in said casing in the path of said pins, whereby, in the movements of the transmitter-above described said pins will be carried onto or oif of said plate, said casing and said plate having recesses into which said pins are adapted to spring to arrest the movement of the transmitter in either direction, and means carried by said movable member for covering and uncovering said opening.

26. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having flat sides, a transmitter and a receiver mounted in said casing, resilient tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of the casing and communicating with said receiver and having a normal tendency to spring toward each other; and earpieces adapted to be pressed against the fiat sides of the casing by said resilient tubes to close the latter.

27. -In a telephone apparatus, a casing having a flat side, a receiver mounted in said casing, a resilient tube pivotally mounted in an end of the casing and communicating with the receiver, and an inwardly-extending earpieceon the end of the tube, said tube having a normal tendency to press the earpiece against the flat side of the case to close the tube'to the entrance of moisture.

28. In-a telephone apparatus, a casing having-a closable opening, a transmitter and a receiver rotatably mounted therein, tubes pivotally'. mounted in opposite ends of said casing and communicating with said receiver, and adapted to rotate said receiver and transmitter to bring the mouthpiece of the latter intoand out of coincidence with said opening, and earpieces on the outer ends of said tubes for inclosing the ears of the user.

29., In a telephone apparatus, in combination with a support having flat sides, a casing mounted thereon having a closable opening, a transmitter and a receiver mounted in said casing, flexible spring-tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of the casing and com-' municating with said receiver and having a normal tendency to spring toward each other, and ear-tubes adapted to be pressed against the sides of said support by said tubes to close the tubes to the entrance of moisture.

30. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a transmitter and a receiver mounted in said casing ear-tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of said casing and communicating with said receiver, a closure for saidopening adapted to be actuated by said ear-tubes, and means operating to close said ear-tubes when they are turned to their inoperative position.

31. Ina telephone apparatus, the combination with an inclosing casing having an opening therein, a closure for said opening, a transmitter and a receiver mounted in said casing, hollow earpieces leading from the receiver and extending outside the casing, said earpieces being movably connected to the casing so as to be brought into and out of operative position, and a connection between said earpieces and closure whereby the latter will be actuated for the purpose described when the earpieces are moved.

32. In a telephone apparatus, the combination with an inclosing casing having an opening therein, a transmitter movably mounted insaid casing so as to be moved to and from said opening, a closure for'the opening in the casing connected to saidtransmitter, a receiver also mounted in the casing and having hollow arms leading from the casing, and a connection between said arms and closure,

whereby the opening will be covered by the closure when the arms are in inoperative position, but will be uncovered when in operative position.

33. In a telephone apparatus, in combination with the receiver, an ear-tube communicating therewith comprising a tubular end piece, a tube secured at one end to said end piece and comprising a flexible metallic lining surrounded by coiled wire, and an earpiece secured to the opposite end of said tube.

In a telephone apparatus, in combination with the receiver, an ear-tube communicating therewith comprising a tubular end piece, a tube secured at one end to said end piece and comprising a flexible metallic lining incased in rubber which in turn is surrounded by coiled wire, and an earpiece secured to the opposite end of saidtube.

35. In a telephone apparatus, a movably-' mounted transmitter and receiver, a casing inclosing the same and having an opening, and a movable closure for said'opening operable with said transmitter.

36. In a telephone apparatus, a rotatablymounted transmitter and receiver, a casing inclosing the same and having an opening, and a rotatable closure for said opening operable by the movement of said transmitter.

37. In a telephone apparatus, a movablymounted transmitter and receiver, a casing inclosing the same and having an opening, and a movable spring-pressed closure for said opening operable with the transmitter.

38. In a telephone apparatus, a casing havingan opening therein,aclosure forsaid openin g, a transmitter and a receiver located within said casing, said transmitter being mounted to move to and from the opening in the casing, ear-tubes journaled in opposite ends of the casing and having communication with the receiver, and a connection between the ear-tubes and transmitter operating to move the latter to and from said opening in the casing when the ear-tubes are moved into and out of operative position. v

39. In a telephone apparatus, a casin g having an opening and a suitable closure therefor, a movable member located within the casing and carrying a transmitter, a receiver also located within the casing, movable eartubes communicating with said receiver, and a connection between said ear-tubes and movable member operating when the ear-tubes are moved, to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into and out of coincidence with the opening in the casing.

' 40. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a movably-mounted transmitter and a receiver arranged within the easing, and pivotally-mounted ear-tubes communicating with said receiver and carrying means for actuating said transmitter to bring the mouthpiece thereof into or out of coincidence with the opening in the casin g, said eartubes having a movement independent of the mpvement of the transmitter.

41. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening and a suitable closure therefor, a rotatable member located within said casing and carrying a receiver and a trans- IIO mitter, and pivotally-monnted ear-tubes coinmnnicating with said receiver and carrying means for actuating said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with the opening in the casing, said ear-tubes having a movement independent of said rotatable member.

42. .In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a rotatable member mounted in said casing and carrying a receiver and a transmitter, ear-tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of said casing and communieating with said receiver, pins carried by said rotatable member, and a lug carried by said ear-tubes and adapted to be moved by the latter' to engage one or the other ofjsaid pins and thereby to actuate said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening. 43. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, ear-tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of said casing and havinL extensions projecting into the casing, a hollow shaft supported on said extensions and carrying a transmitter andareceiver, said feceivercommunicating with said extensions through said shaft, and means for causing said shaft to turn with said ear-tubes whereby to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening.

44. In a telephone apparatus, a casin g having an opening, ear-tubes pivotally mounted in opposite ends of said casing and having cylindrical extensions projecting into the easing, a hollow shaft journaled on said extensions and carrying a transmitter and a receiver,said receiver communicating with said extensions through said shaft,stops carried by said shaft, and a 111 g carried by said ear-tubes and located between said stops and adapted to engage one or the other thereof after a move ment of the ear-tubes in a given direction to actuate said shaft, whereby to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or-out of coincidence with said opening. 45. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a receiver mounted in said casing, ear-tubes communicatingwith said receiver, a rotatable member also located within said casing and carrying a transmitter, means for actuating said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, electrical contact-pins carried by said rotatable member, and an insulated electrical contact-plate supported in said casing in the path of said pins, whereby, in the movements of the transmitter above described, said contact-pins will be carried onto or off of said contact-plate.

46. In a telephone apparatus, a casing having an opening, a receiver mounted in said casing, ear-tubes communicating with said receiver, a rotatable member also located within said casing and carrying a transmitter, means for actuating said rotatable member to bring the mouthpiece of the transmitter into or out of coincidence with said opening, spring-controlled electrical contact-pins carried by said rotatable member, and an insulated electrical contact-plate supported in said casing in the path of said pins, whereby, in the movements of the transmitter above described said pins will be carried onto or off of said plate, said casing and said plate having recesses into which said pins are adapted to spring to arrest the movement of the transmitter in either direction. 7

47. In a telephone apparatus, a easing having an opening and a suitable closure therefor,.a receiver and a transmitter mounted in said casing, movable ear-tubes communicatnesses. 7

FRANK W; WOOD. Witnesses: i O. WILLIAMSON,

J. EJWARREN.

ingwith said receiver, a rotatable member 

